320 Frederick the Great

however, from the year 1766, when Frederick resolved
to introduce the French system of farming out the
indirect taxes, or Regie. Not the system alone, but
also the chief agents who carried it into effect, were
brought from France. The lessee-in-chief, de Launay,
exercised great influence over the King, who ac-
cepted his opinion as to the possibilities of taxation
in preference to that of his Prussian commissioners.

The people, as was natural, detested an innovation
which both wounded their Teutonic sensibilities and
raised the price of food. De Launay and his assist-
ants were caricatured as marching behind beasts
laden with rackets, foils, and fiddles, to avenge the
shame of Rossbach on the inhabitants of Berlin.
Patriots might well chafe at the thought that a new
and foreign department was introduced into the Gen-
eral Directory itself, and that whereas a Prussian
minister was paid only 4000 thalers a year, each of
the four chief Frenchmen received 15,000. Less
than ten per cent, of the 2000 tax-gatherers were
foreigners, but the Germans were insulted at being
deemed fit for the lower grades alone.

Their murmurs, however, were powerless to alter
the purpose of the King, The innovation, indeed,
was not recommended by conspicuous success.
Though it simplified the fiscal administration, a large
proportion of the returns was still swallowed up by
expenses of collection. On a review of the twenty
years, 1766-1786, the proceeds of the Regie seem to
have been in no wise augmented by de Launay's
hated invasion. Yet Frederick adhered to his plan,
kept the taxes high, administered the funds of the